Express News Service
DHENKANAL; As individuals withdraw into their properties in concern of coronavirus, a 25-year-old girl of Kanchan Bazaar in Dhenkanal city is taking to the streets to feed the bodily and mentally-challenged individuals left in misery as a result of Covid-19 restrictions.Soumyashree Mishra has been feeding the homeless and mentally-ill individuals of the city and its outskirts since March final yr. She buys packaged meals from eating places and distributes it among the many homeless who’re left to fend for themselves on the streets.
There are quite a few mentally-ill and disabled individuals dwelling within the open at completely different locations of the city. Soumyashree reaches them with meals packets twice a day . She additionally does it in distant elements of the district just like the tribal-dominated villages of Kankadahada block. Soumyashree acquired married just lately however it didn’t change her routine. With lively assist from her in-laws and husband Ajay Mishra (28), a businessman at Paradip, she is relentless in her noble pursuit. “Before marriage, I used the pocket money to feed these people. Now I utilise the money and food materials donated by friends and citizens of the town to feed the poor,” she mentioned.
Husband Ajay, who additionally helps illiterate and poor individuals apply for presidency schemes when he’s within the city, couldn’t have gotten a greater life accomplice than Soumya. The businessman selected Soumya after attending to know of her philanthropic actions. The couple serve three sq. meals to the needy throughout the weekend. A member of Nehru Yuva Kendra, Soumya isn’t aided by any NGO or social organisation. But some philanthropists, impressed by her zeal to serve, contribute meals supplies regularly.
“The mentally-challenged cannot express their problems and miseries so no one comes to their aid. Besides, people are keeping a safe distance from them in the prevailing situation. Hence, they are the worst affected by the pandemic,” mentioned Soumyashree. Unlike final yr when a number of NGOs, social employees and the municipality authorities distributed meals among the many poor, the distressed are on their very own throughout the second wave.
However, working with buddies with no help from the administration has its limitations. Soumya urged the administration to offer assist her in order that no particular person is compelled to spend days within the open and sleep in an empty abdomen.
